Earthquake in Karachi sparks mass jailbreak of 200 inmates
Karachi: Nearly 200 prisoners tried to escape from the Malir prison after an earthquake in Karachi created cracks in its walls, according to a media report. The inmates attacked the jail staff and snatched weapons from the security personnel, after which there was a shootout between the police and the prisoners.
The earthquake in Karachi, Pakistan, posed challenges for the general populace but turned into a golden opportunity for certain inmates. The tremors caused cracks in the walls of Malir jail, allowing approximately 200 prisoners to flee.
Karachi Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohammad Hassan Sehto reported that during the earthquake, inmates exited their barracks and assaulted jail staff as they headed for the main gate. Some reports indicate that the prisoners seized weapons from security personnel. The chaos escalated into a shootout between the police and prisoners, resulting in one inmate being injured.
Police search operation underway
In the meantime, law enforcement has ramped up search efforts by establishing checkpoints in nearby locations such as Bhasha Colony, Kadhafi Town, and Shah Latif. Over 20 inmates who had escaped have been recaptured. Additionally, Rangers have been stationed outside the prison for enhanced security.
Continuous earthquake tremors
The event occurred when Karachi experienced another earthquake tremor, marking the tenth in the past 24 hours, with a magnitude of 2.4 on the Richter scale. The tremor was sensed at 11:16 pm in regions such as Landhi, Quaidabad, and Sherpao. According to the Meteorological Department, mild earthquakes are typical in this region because of its proximity to the Kirther fault line.
Sindh Jail Minister Ali Hassan Zardari has responded to the incident by requesting a comprehensive report from the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General. He instructed them to secure the area and swiftly capture all the escaped inmates. Additionally, an investigation is underway to determine if the jail administration's negligence contributed to the incident.